Peace and Reintegration Shura unites Uruzgan

The Provincial Afghan Government in Uruzgan passed a major milestone recently with the successful and safe conduct of a province-wide meeting that drew more than 700 elders and leaders to Tarin Kot on Sunday 27 March 2011.

Provincial Governor, Mohammad Omer Shirzad, hosted the delegates of the Peace and Reintegration Shura, drawing citizens from the districts of Tarin Kot, Chora, Deh Rawud, Shahid-e Hassas, Khas Uruzgan and Gizab, along with representatives from Kabul.

"We need to work together to bring peace to Uruzgan. Once we have peace, then we will get schools and hospitals," Governor Mohammad Omer Shirzad said.

The shura was opened by Khoshal Alimohemmad, a respected Tarin Kot elder and writer who had a simple message for the insurgents.

"The people who came to destroy our country can go home, as we now have the flower of peace growing in Uruzgan," he told the gathering.

The shura was an opportunity for the Uruzgan provincial, district and village leadership to come together to discuss the improvements in governance, development and security throughout Uruzgan.

"We don't want any more fighting, we want a better life," said Asadullah Wafar, a member of the Afghan High Peace Council.

"All people in Uruzgan will need to unite and work together to bring peace and security to Uruzgan," said government representative, Bizmillah Khanthe.

At the conclusion of the Shura, 45 former insurgents from the Sarab region of Shahid-e-Hasas District presented themselves to Governor Shirzad as reintegration candidates. They will now work with government and coalition agencies to reintegrate back into their communities and will participate in community recovery programs.

The role played by Australian and other ISAF personnel was limited to air-lift, transport and specialist support with the Afghan National Security Forces providing security for the event.

Deputy Commander Combined Team -- Uruzgan, Colonel Dennis Malone, said the success of the day was measured through the safe conduct of the shura, the emphasis on Afghan solutions to Afghan problems, and the resolution to end conflict through the reintegration of former insurgents.

"The ability of Governor Shirzad to host a shura of this importance and drawing so many key leaders from across the province, as well as line Ministers from Kabul, highlights that security has stabilised to the point where provincial governance is able to be exercised. This was a great day for Uruzgan Province and its people," Colonel Malone said.

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